Daily Devotion: Monday Dec. 8, 2014

ST. JOHN'S MISSION STATEMENT
As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing...

UP in God's Word and Sacrament
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual need
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ
 
Memorize it!  Get used to it!  Live it!  It is YOUR mission statement as a member of St. John's Lutheran Church!!!
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DEVOTION:  "For what shall we say?  Is God unjust?  Not at all!  For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.'  It does not, therefore, depend n man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy."  Romans 9:14-15

 
When it comes to people who are good examples of what it means to be a Christ, who do you look to?  Do you look to people who work really hard, who are always giving, who always seem to be volunteering for everything?  Do you look to the folks who are in church every time the doors are open?  Do you look to the person who never does anything wrong and always seems to have it all together. 
 
I do..... sometimes..... but then I'm reminded of the time Jesus saw to people praying in the temple.  One was a Pharisee, and upstanding, Bible believing, do-gooder.  The other was a sinner, a tax collector who had cheated people out of their money.  The Pharisee didn't "need" forgiveness, because in his mind he was good.  The tax collector NEEDED forgiveness, because in his heart and mind he knew that he was sinful. 
 
I'll take the example of the tax collector every day!  He was a sinner who knew he needed a Savior.  He was a humble, repentant sinner.  He wasn't like the Pharisee who looked down on those "sinners", and trusted in his own righteousness.  He was what God had called him to be, a sinner with a broken and contrite heart! 
 
During this Advent season, this time of REPENTANCE, stop looking at everyone else and start looking at yourself.  Stop trying to solve the world's problems and instead let Jesus solve yours.  Stop thinking that you have it all together when you know you don't.  Take the tax collector's example, fall down on the ground, confess your sins, turn from them, and live in God's true mercy and grace. 
 
Prayer:  Lord, help me to be humble, to know where I have sinned, to own up to it, and then give it to You so that you can remove it from me forever.  Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  How many epistles did Paul write? 13

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What was the last epistle that Paul most probably wrote?

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30; Trustees 7

Wed- Board of outreach 10am; Dinner 5:30; Hymn sing 6:15; worship 6:30

Thurs- Karate 5pm; Praise Band 6pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Little Lambs Christmas program 2pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; Choir rehearsal 9:45; worship 11; elders meeting noon; LL program #2 2pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes-   Wed- Sophie Tinnin 8:30- Dustin Toedebusch  11- Jacob Winn
Altar guild- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean up- Wanda Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Joan Sexton
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Don Turnure  11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn, 8:30- Jacob Nagel, 11- Kailyn Blechle
Ushers- Wed- Dae Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze- Sunday: Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Projectors- Sat-- Pam; Sun 8:30- Schaumberg      11-- ???????????
Pianists/organists: Sat- Barb Dreyer; Sun- Gene Hilgendorf      11am- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:

REBECCA BOONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRADING POST NEEDS YOUR HELP!

As many of you know, but many don't, Rebecca Boone Elementary has a Trading Post.  At this Trading Post kids are able to redeem Boone Bucks that they earn through good attendance, good grades, and good behavior. 
 
Many of the kids and their families at RBE live at or below the poverty level and are in great need.  Below is a list of items that are needed to "trade" for in the month of December.  Please consider buying some of these items and bringing them to RBE between 8am-3pm, or if you'd rather, bring them up to church and I will get them there.  Just leave them in my office.  

RBE Trading Post Wish List for December:

Boys deodorant

Chapstick

Lotion (travel size)

Blankets (lap, throws)

Gloves

Mittens

Snow boots (all sizes)

Pencil sharpeners (small individual, for desk or backpack)

Individual snacks

Holiday wrapping paper

Scotch tape

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ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP CONTINUES THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10!!

Supper at 5:30

Your elder will be calling you to direct you as to when to bring food!  Please come to all of the dinners though!  Yu can't beat fried chicken and tons of great sides every Wednesday night!  A small free will donation is appreciated to offset the cost of the chicken.  Please also make sure you bring your dishes home after supper!  And please be aware that they will not be washed.

 

Worship at 6:30

Our worship theme is COME, LORD JESUS! Focusing on the Lord's Prayer and the Common table prayer, we will talk about what it means that we want Jesus to come into the world, into our hearts, and into eternity!!

 

 

 

 

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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE PRACTICING FOR THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL TIME!

If you want your child to be part of the program they need to be in Sunday school!  The program will be at the 11am service on December 21. 

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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE READY TO BE PICKED UP IN THE NARTHEX!!
Please go by your name, not your old envelope number.  All numbers have changed.  Make sure you get yours next time you are at church!!!

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POINSETTIAS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY!!

The sign up sheet is on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn to order yours.  You can take yours home with you after Christmas Day!!  Please sign up by December 14.  Cost is $13.50 each. Many purchase them in honor or in memory of a loved one.

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LADIES AID INVITES ALL LADIES TO JOIN THEM FOR A CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 AT NOON AT DENNY'S.  This is in place of the regular ladies aid meeting.

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A VOLUNTEER IS NEEDED TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO JUNE 14-16

All voting members (men or women) are eligible.  In order for our congregation to have a complete voice we need to have complete representation!  Please call me or reply to this email if you would like to serve your church in this way!!

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WE STILL NEED ONE MORE ELDER!!!

 

Elder duties- 

1. Assist the pastor in the spiritual matters of the congregation.

2. Consider complaints and grievances according to Matthew 18:15-18

3. Make every effort to get inactive members back to worship and supporting the church as they have pledged to God to do.

4.  See to it that all worship is held in an orderly and joyful manner.

5. Prepare a list of candidates during a vacancy.

6. Consider salary and benefits for all staff and make recommendations.

7. Consider those who are eligible for membership.

8. Be a good Christian example with regular worship and Bible study attendance and in their Christian conduct and conversation.

 

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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BEVERLY WAALEN as she passed from death to eternal life Sunday evening. 

 

For MARIE HARVEY, sister in law of Lil's daughter  Cheri, who had stage 4 cancer and is only 56.

 

For Tony Verme, father in law of Lil's daughter  Cheri, who is still dealing with severe illness and may be nearing the end of his life

 

For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes.  He is unable to breathe on his own. 

 

For ROSETTA JONES who fell and broke her wrist and is recovering from surgery on it at Delmar Gardens.

 

 

 

For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.

 

For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.

 

For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith. 

 

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